Heat pump

ABSTRACT

A heat pump controls heating and/or cooling using a refrigeration cycle unit and a booster module, The refrigeration cycle unit includes a compressor to compress a coolant, a first heat exchanger to condense the coolant compressed in the compressor, an expansion mechanism to expand the coolant condensed in the first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger to evaporate the coolant expanded in the expansion mechanism. The booster module separates a gaseous coolant from the coolant flowing from the first heat exchanger to the expansion mechanism and then allows for compression of the separated gaseous coolant or coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0112739, filed on Nov. 20, 2009 in Korea, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments described herein relate to thermal control.

2. Background

Heat pumps are in widespread use for heating and cooling homes. However, they have drawbacks. For example, heat pumps fail to provide sufficient cooling/heating performance for larger homes or buildings. As a consequence, many homeowners must over time buy new larger-capacity heat pumps to either supplement or replace the systems they have.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump before a booster module is attached to a refrigeration cycle unit.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump after a booster module has been attached to a refrigeration cycle unit.

FIG. 3 is diagram showing a heat pump wherein a water heating unit and a room heating unit are coupled with a refrigeration cycle unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump wherein a booster module is separated from a refrigeration cycle unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump wherein a booster module is attached to a refrigeration cycle unit.

FIG. 6 is a P-H graph comparing performance of a heat pump operating with and without a booster module.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a heat pump.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant when one embodiment of a heat pump is subjected to a general load mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant when one embodiment of a heat pump is subjected to a partial load mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant when one embodiment of a heat pump is subjected to a multi-operation mode.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant when one embodiment of a heat pump is subjected to a gas injection mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a booster module of a heat pump mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of coolant in one embodiment of a heat pump operating in a general load mode.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of a coolant in one embodiment of a heat pump operating in a gas injection mode.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump before a booster module is mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a heat pump after a booster module has been mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a heat pump before a booster module is attached to a refrigeration cycle unit, FIG. 2 shows the heat pump after a booster module has been attached to a refrigeration cycle unit, and FIG. 3 shows a water heating unit and a room heating unit coupled with the refrigeration cycle unit.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the refrigeration cycle unit may be used for room cooling/heating or water heating, and the booster module may be provided to increase room cooling/heating or water heating performance when the refrigeration cycle unit fails to provide sufficient room cooling/heating or water heating performance, or when a user wants to raise room cooling/heating or water heating performance.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the refrigeration cycle unit 1 may include a compressor 10 that compresses a coolant, a first heat exchanger 14 that condenses the coolant compressed in the compressor 10, an expansion mechanism 16 that expands the coolant condensed in the first heat exchanger 14, and a second heat exchanger 18 that evaporates the coolant expanded in the expansion mechanism 16. The refrigeration cycle unit may be provided for room cooling or heating, or both room cooling and heating.

The refrigeration cycle unit may perform room heating by blowing air from a room to first heat exchanger 14 and then discharging the air back to the room, and room cooling by blowing air from the room to second heat exchanger 18 and then discharging the air back to the room.

That is, the refrigeration cycle unit may perform direct heat exchange between indoor air and one of the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger. The refrigeration cycle unit may include an indoor fan that circulates indoor air between the room and one of the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger.

In the refrigeration cycle unit, the first heat exchanger 14 or the second heat exchanger 18 may be configured as a water coolant heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between water and a coolant. A cooling/heating coil around for heating or cooling mixed air derived from indoor air and outdoor air may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger through a water circulation path.

The water cools/heats the cooling/heating coil while circulating the water coolant heat exchanger and the cooling/heating coil, the mixed air of the indoor air and the outdoor air is cooled/heated by the cooling/heating coil, and then is discharged to the room. That is, the water heat exchanged with the coolant in the refrigeration cycle unit 1 may be used in an air handling unit (“AHU”) that cools/heats the mixed air of the indoor air and the outdoor air and discharges it to the room.

In the refrigeration cycle unit, the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger may be configured as a water coolant heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between water and a coolant. The water cooled or heated in the water coolant heat exchanger may be used for room cooling/heating or water heating.

When the refrigeration cycle unit is provided for room cooling, the second heat exchanger may be configured as a water coolant heat exchanger, and a room cooling unit for room cooling may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger through a water circulation path. The water cools the room cooling unit while circulating between the water coolant heat exchanger and the room cooling unit, and thus the room cooling unit may cool the room.

When the refrigeration cycle unit is provided for room heating, first heat exchanger 14 may be configured as a water coolant heat exchanger, and a room heating unit for room heating may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger through a water circulation path so that water heats the room heating unit while circulating between the water coolant heat exchanger and the room heating unit, and thus the room heating unit may heat the room.

When the refrigeration cycle unit is provided for water heating, first heat exchanger 14 may be configured as a water coolant heat exchanger, and a water heating unit for supplying hot water to the room may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger through a water circulation path. As such, water heats the water heating unit while circulating between the water coolant heat exchanger and the water heating unit, and thus the water heating unit may supply hot water to the room.

When the refrigeration cycle unit is provided for room cooling/heating and water heating, first heat exchanger 14 may be configured as a water coolant heat exchanger, and a room cooling/heating unit for room cooling/heating may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger through a water circulation path. As such, water cools/heats the room cooling/heating unit while circulating between the water coolant heat exchanger and the room cooling/heating unit.

Alternatively, a water heating unit for supplying hot water to the room may be connected to the water coolant heat exchanger through a water circulation path so that water heats the water heating unit while circulating between the water coolant heat exchanger and the water heating unit.

That is, the water heat exchanged with the coolant in the refrigeration cycle unit may be used for the room heating unit for room heating, the room cooling unit for room cooling, or the water heating unit for supplying hot water to the room.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that, in the refrigeration cycle unit, first heat exchanger 14 is configured as a water coolant heat exchanger, that water heated in the first heat exchanger is used for a water heating unit 4, and that water heated or cooled in the first heat exchanger 14 is used for a room heating unit 5.

In the heat pump, compressor 10, first heat exchanger 14, expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18 may be installed in the refrigeration cycle unit. The refrigeration cycle unit may further include a room cooling/heating switching valve 12 that may perform switching between room heating and room cooling.

Under a room heating mode for room heating, room cooling/heating switching valve 12 makes the coolant compressed in compressor 10 flow to the first heat exchanger and the coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger flow to the compressor, so that the coolant is condensed in the first heat exchanger and evaporated in the second heat exchanger.

Under a room cooling mode for room cooling or defrosting mode for defrosting, room cooling/heating switching valve 12 makes the coolant compressed in the compressor flow to the second heat exchanger and the coolant evaporated in the first heat exchanger flow to the compressor, so that the coolant is evaporated in the first heat exchanger and condensed in the second heat exchanger.

The refrigeration cycle unit may be configured as a single unit or this unit may include or be coupled to an indoor unit 6 and an outdoor unit 7.

In a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is configured to be a single unit, compressor 10, room cooling/heating switching valve 12, first heat exchanger 14, expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18 may be installed in a single casing or housing.

In a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is configured to include or be coupled to indoor unit 6 and outdoor unit 7, compressor 10, room cooling/heating switching valve 12, expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18 may be installed in the outdoor unit, first heat exchanger 14 may be installed in the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit and indoor unit may be connected to each other via a coolant pipe.

The compressor 10 may be connected to the room cooling/heating switching valve via a compressor discharging pipe 11. The compressor discharging pipe may include a check valve 11′ to prevent coolant discharged from a booster compressor 90 (as will be described later) from flowing into compressor 10.

The room cooling/heating switching valve 12 may be connected to first heat exchanger 14 via a pipe 13 between room cooling/heating switching valve 12 and the first heat exchanger, and to the compressor via a compressor suction pipe 20.

The first heat exchanger 14 may be connected to expansion mechanism 16 via a pipe 15 between the first heat exchanger and the expansion mechanism. The first heat exchanger may be a water coolant heat exchanger performing heat exchange between water and a coolant, and may include a heat radiation path that radiates heat while the coolant passes therethrough, a heat absorption path that absorbs heat while the water passes therethrough, and a heat transfer member between the heat radiation path and the heat absorption path.

The first heat exchanger 14 may be connected to a water circulation path 22 that forms a closed path along with water heating unit 4 and room heating unit 5.

The expansion mechanism 16 may be connected to second heat exchanger 18 via pipe 17 between the expansion mechanism and the second heat exchanger. The expansion mechanism 16 may be configured, for example, as an electronic expansion valve.

The second heat exchanger 18 may be connected to room cooling/heating switching valve 12 via a pipe 19 between the second heat exchanger and the room cooling/heating switching valve. The second heat exchanger may be configured as an air cooled heat exchanger that blows outdoor air to the second heat exchanger to evaporate the coolant. The refrigeration cycle unit may further include an outdoor fan (not shown) that blows outdoor air to second heat exchanger 18.

The water circulation path 22 may couple first heat exchanger 14 with water heating unit 4 and room heating unit 5, so that water heat exchanged with the coolant in the first heat exchanger passes through at least one of the water heating unit or the room heating unit and then returns to the first heat exchanger.

The water circulation path 22 may include a refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23 located in refrigeration cycle unit 1, a water heating pipe 24 that allows water heated in first heat exchanger 14 to pass through water heating unit 4, a room cooling/heating pipe 25 that allows water heated in the first heat exchanger to pass room heating unit 5, and a connection pipe 27 that couples the refrigeration cycle unit pipe with water heating pipe 24 and the room cooling/heating pipe.

The connection pipe 27 may include a water adjustment valve 28 that guides water heated or cooled in first heat exchanger to at least one of water heating pipe 24 or room cooling/heating pipe 25. The water heating pipe and room cooling/heating pipe may be connected to water adjustment valve 28 via connection pipe 27.

Now, the refrigeration cycle unit 1, water heating unit 4, and room heating unit 5 will be described in greater detail.

The refrigeration cycle unit may be an air to water heat pump (“AWHP”), and may include a flow switch 32 that senses the flow of water passing through refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23, an expansion tank 33 positioned over the refrigeration cycle unit pipe to be spaced from the flow switch, a water collection tank 34 that is connected to the refrigeration cycle unit pipe and includes therein an auxiliary heater 35, and a circulation pump 36 that is positioned over the refrigeration cycle unit pipe to pump the water for water circulation.

The expansion tank 33 may be a buffer that absorbs water heated while passing through first heat exchanger 14 when water is expanded beyond an appropriate level. The expansion tank may be filled with nitrogen and may include a diaphragm that moves depending on the volume of water.

The water collection tank 34 may collect water and auxiliary heater 35 may be selectively operated when a defrosting operation is necessary or when first heat exchanger 14 does not reach a required performance level.

The circulation pump 36 circulates water among refrigeration cycle unit 1, water heating unit 4, and room heating unit 5 and may be provided downstream of water collection tank 34 over refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23.

The water heating unit may supply hot water necessary for, for example, showering, bathing, or dish washing and may include a hot water tank 41 containing water and an auxiliary heater 42 for water heating installed in the hot water tank. The hot water tank 41 may be connected to a cool water inlet 43 that introduces cool water to the hot water tank and a hot water outlet 44 that discharges hot water out of the hot water tank.

A water heating pipe 24 is provided in hot water tank 41 to heat water in the hot water tank. The hot water outlet 44 may be connected to a hot water discharging device 45, such as a shower head. A cool water inlet 46 may be connected to hot water outlet 44 so that cool water may be discharged to the outside through hot water discharging device 45.

The room heating unit 5 may include a floor cooling/heating unit 51 for cooling/heating the indoor floor, and an air cooling/heating unit 52 for cooling/heating indoor air. The floor cooling/heating unit may be configured as a meander line embedded in the indoor floor, and the air cooling/heating unit 52 may be configured as a fan coil unit or a radiator.

Water adjustment valves 53 and 54 may be positioned over the room cooling/heating pipe 25 to guide water to at least one of the floor cooling/heating unit 51 and the air cooling/heating unit 52. The floor cooling/heating unit may be connected to the water adjustment valves via air cooling/heating pipe 55 and air cooling/heating unit 52 may be connected to the water adjustment valves floor cooling/heating pipe 56.

When the water adjustment valve 28 is subjected to a water heating mode for water heating upon driving the circulation pump 36, the water heated in first heat exchanger 14 may pass through refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23 and connection pipe 27 to water heating pipe 24 to heat the water in the hot water tank 41, and then return to the first heat exchanger via connection pipe 27 and refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23.

When the water adjustment valve is subjected to a room cooling/heating mode for room cooling/heating upon driving circulation pump 36, the water heated or cooled in the first heat exchanger may pass through refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23 and connection pipe 27 to room cooling/heating pipe 25 to heat or cool at least one of floor cooling/heating unit 51 or air cooling/heating unit 52, and then return to the first heat exchanger via the room cooling/heating pipe, the connection pipe, and the refrigeration cycle unit pipe.

When water adjustment valves 53 and 54 are subjected to an air cooling/heating mode for air cooling/heating, the water heated or cooled in first heat exchanger 14 may pass through room cooling/heating pipe 25, air cooling/heating unit 52, and air cooling/heating pipe 55 and discharge through the room cooling/heating pipe. And, when the water adjustment valves are subjected to a floor cooling/heating mode for floor cooling/heating, the water heated in first heat exchanger 14 may pass through floor cooling/heating pipe 56 floor cooling/heating unit 51, and discharge through room cooling/heating pipe 25.

After installation of the refrigeration cycle unit, as necessary, the booster module 2 may be additionally provided to the refrigeration cycle unit. The booster module may be connected to the refrigeration cycle unit to separate a gaseous coolant from the coolant flowing from first heat exchanger 14 to expansion mechanism 16, compress the separated gaseous coolant, and then make the compressed gaseous coolant flow between compressor 10 and the first heat exchanger.

Independently from compressor 10 included in refrigeration cycle unit 1, the booster module may compress the coolant by using a booster compressor 90 included in the booster module (as will be described later), and inject to the booster compressor a gaseous coolant which has a pressure higher than the condensation pressure of the first heat exchanger and lower than the evaporation pressure of the second heat exchanger 18, thus capable of raising operational efficiency.

The booster module 2 may include a first booster expansion mechanism 62 that expands the coolant condensed in first heat exchanger 14, a gas/liquid separator 70 that separates the coolant expanded in first booster expansion mechanism 62 into a liquid coolant and a gaseous coolant, a second booster expansion mechanism 80 that expands the gaseous coolant separated in gas/liquid separator 70, and booster compressor 90 that compresses the coolant expanded in second booster expansion mechanism 80.

In accordance with one embodiment, when the booster module is installed in the heat pump, pipe 13 connected between first heat exchanger 14 and room cooling/heating switching valve 12 and pipe 15 connected between the first heat exchanger and expansion mechanism 16 may be separated into pipes 13A and 13B and pipes 15A and 15B, respectively. The booster module is connected between pipes 13A and 13B and may be connected to between the pipes 15A and 15B.

The first booster expansion mechanism 62 may be connected to the first heat exchanger via a first booster expansion mechanism suction pipe 64 that may be connected to one 15A of the separated pipes 15A or 15B. The first booster expansion mechanism 62 may be configured, for example, as an electronic expansion valve.

The gas/liquid separator 70 separates the coolant condensed in first heat exchanger 14 into a gaseous coolant and a liquid coolant, and may be connected to the expansion mechanism 16 via a gas/liquid separator outlet pipe 72 that may be connected to the other 15B of the separated pipes 15A and 15B.

When opened, second booster expansion mechanism 80 allows gaseous coolant from gas/liquid separator 70 to flow to booster compressor 90, and when closed the second booster expansion mechanism stops the flow of the gaseous coolant from the gas/liquid separator to the booster compressor. The second booster expansion mechanism may expand the gaseous coolant flowing from the gas/liquid separator to the booster compressor upon adjusting the degree of opening. The second booster expansion mechanism may be configured, for example, as an electronic expansion valve.

The booster module 2 may include a gas/liquid separator suction pipe 74 connected between first booster expansion mechanism 62 and gas/liquid separator 70. That is, first heat exchanger 14 and expansion mechanism 16 may be connected to each other via pipe 15, connected between the first heat exchanger and expansion mechanism 16 before installation of the booster module, and via one 15A of the pipes 15A or 15B, first booster expansion mechanism suction pipe 64, first booster expansion mechanism 62, gas/liquid separator suction pipe 74, gas/liquid separator 70, gas/liquid separator outlet pipe 72, and other 15B of the separated pipes 15A and 15B, the pipe 15B after installation of the booster module.

The booster module may further include a gaseous coolant discharging pipe 76 that guides the gaseous coolant separated in gas/liquid separator 70 to second booster expansion mechanism 80, a booster compressor suction pipe 92 that allows the coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism to be sucked to the booster compressor 90, and booster compressor discharging pipes 94 and 95 that guide the coolant discharged from the booster compressor to between first heat exchanger 14 and compressor 10 of refrigeration cycle unit 1.

The booster compressor discharging pipes 94 and 95 may include a first booster compressor discharging pipe 94 connecting between pipes 13A and 13B and a second booster compressor discharging pipe 95 guiding the coolant discharged from booster compressor 90 to the first booster compressor discharging pipe 94.

That is, room cooling/heating switching valve 12 and first heat exchanger 14 may be connected to each other via pipe 13 connected between the room cooling/heating switching valve and first heat exchanger before installation of the booster module, as shown in FIG. 1, and via one pipe 13A of pipes 13A and 13B, first booster compressor discharging pipe 94, and the other pipe 13B of pipes 13A and 13B, after installation of the booster module, as shown in FIG. 2.

A check valve 95′ may be provided over booster compressor discharging pipes 94 and 95 to prevent the coolant compressed in compressor 10 from flowing to the booster compressor. According to one arrangement, check valve 95′ may be provided over the second booster compressor discharging pipe 95.

The booster module 2 may further include a bypass pipe 99 leading the coolant flowing out of the gas/liquid separator 70 via the gas/liquid separator outlet pipe 72 to the first booster expansion mechanism suction pipe 64. A check valve 99′ may be provided over the third booster suction pipe 99 to prevent the coolant in the first booster expansion mechanism suction pipe from flowing to the gas/liquid separator outlet pipe through the third booster suction pipe, and the gaseous coolant flowing from the gas/liquid separator to the booster compressor suction pipe 92 may be maximized.

The booster module 2 may compress the coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger 18 using booster compressor 90 and then have the compressed coolant flow between compressor 10 and the first heat exchanger 14.

The booster module may be configured so that the gaseous coolant separated in gas/liquid separator 70 and the coolant evaporated in second heat exchanger 18 may be together or selectively sucked to booster compressor 90.

The booster module may connect booster compressor suction pipe 92 to between the second heat exchanger and compressor 10 through a booster suction pipe 96 to guide part of the coolant evaporated in second heat exchanger 18 to the booster compressor suction pipe. One end of booster suction pipe 96 may be connected to compressor suction pipe 20 and the other end may be connected to booster compressor suction pipe 92.

The booster suction pipe 96 may include a first booster suction pipe 97 that is provided in refrigeration cycle unit 1 to be connected to compressor suction pipe 20, a second booster suction pipe 98 provided in booster module 2 to be connected to booster compressor suction pipe 92, and a third booster suction pipe 99 that is connected between the first booster suction pipe and second booster suction pipe 98.

The booster module 2 may further include a check valve 96′ that is provided over booster suction pipe 96 to prevent the coolant in booster compressor suction pipe 92 from being sucked to compressor 10 through the booster suction pipe. Check valve 96′ may be provided over second booster suction pipe 98.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a heat pump where a booster module is separated from a refrigeration cycle unit, and FIG. 5 shows a heat pump where a booster module is attached to a refrigeration cycle unit.

In a case where refrigeration cycle unit 1 is configured as a single unit, booster module 2 may be separated from or joined to the refrigeration cycle unit.

In a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is configured to have indoor unit 6 and outdoor unit 7, booster module 2 may be separated from the indoor unit and the outdoor unit or joined to one of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit.

The refrigeration cycle unit may be configured as a separation type as shown in FIG. 4 where the refrigeration cycle unit is separated from outdoor unit 7, or as an integration type as shown in FIG. 5 where the refrigeration cycle unit is integrally mounted on the outdoor unit. That is, room heating unit 5 may be selectively mounted on the outdoor unit as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 6 shows a P-H relationship that compares performance of a heat pump with and without booster module 2. Without the booster module, coolant is subjected to a general procedure of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation—that is, “a->b′->c->f->a” as depicted in dashed lines in FIG. 4.

On the other hand, when the booster module is included, coolant is subjected to a procedure of compression, condensation, expansion, expansion, and evaporation; that is, a->b->c->d->e->f->a as depicted by solid lines in FIG. 6. Part of the coolant discharged from first heat exchanger 14 is subjected to expansion and compression in the booster module; that is, d->g->h->b as depicted in FIG. 6.

When the booster module is included, the heat pump may show improved overall efficiency with reduced compression work compared to when the booster module is absent. That is, entire consumption power supplied to compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 may be reduced and performance may be enhanced especially when the outdoor temperature is low. Also, when the booster module is included, the maximum management temperature of compressor 10 may be lowered and reliability of this compressor may be increased compared to when the booster module is not included.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a heat pump, FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a heat pump subjected to a general load mode, FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a heat pump subjected to a partial load mode, FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a heat pump subjected to a multi operation mode, and FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a heat pump subjected to a gas injection mode.

One or more embodiments of the foregoing heat pump may include a manipulation unit 100 that inputs various instructions including operation/stop of the heat pump, a load sensor 110 that senses the load of the heat pump, and a controller 120 that controls compressor 10, expansion mechanism 16, outdoor fan 22′, first booster expansion mechanism 62, second booster expansion mechanism 80, and booster compressor 90 based on operation of the manipulation unit and a sensing result of load sensor 110. The load sensor may include a water temperature sensor that senses the load of water heating unit 4 and room heating unit 5.

The water temperature sensor may be provided at a side of water circulation path 22 to sense the temperature of water circulating first heat exchanger 14 and at least one of water heating unit 4 or room heating unit 5. The water temperature sensor may sense the temperature of water which passes through at least one of the water heating unit or the room heating unit and then returns to the first heat exchanger. According to one arrangement, the water temperature sensor may be provided over refrigeration cycle unit pipe 23.

The load sensor 110 may include an outdoor temperature sensor that determines whether the outdoor temperature is low or not. The outdoor temperature sensor may be installed in second heat exchanger 18 to sense the temperature of outdoor air blowing to the second heat exchanger.

When the load sensor senses a load, controller 120 may perform control under the partial load mode, general load mode, and/or multi operation mode. And, when the load sensor senses an outdoor low temperature load (that is, determines that the outdoor temperature is low), the controller may perform control under the gas injection mode.

If the temperature of water sensed by load sensor 110 is less than a first predetermined temperature, controller 120 may determine that the load of the heat pump is a partial load.

If the temperature of water sensed by the load sensor is not less than the first predetermined temperature and less than a second predetermined temperature higher than the first determined temperature by a predetermined value, the controller may determine that the load of the heat pump is a general load.

And, if the temperature of water sensed by load sensor is not less than the second predetermined temperature, the controller may determine that the load of the heat pump is a multi operation load (that is, overload).

If the outdoor temperature sensed by the load sensor is not more than a predetermined temperature, the controller may determine that the load of the heat pump is an outdoor low temperature load.

Depending on the mode, controller 120 may control compressor 10, booster compressor 90, and second booster expansion mechanism 80 at the same time.

Various operation modes are possible according to the load. For example, in a case where the load is smaller than a general load, the controller may operate the compressor, booster compressor, and second booster expansion mechanism in the partial load model.

If the load is equal to the general load, the controller may control the compressor, booster compressor, and second booster expansion mechanism in the general load mode.

If the load is larger than the general load, the controller may control the compressor, booster compressor, and second booster expansion mechanism in the multi operation mode.

If the load is the low temperature load, the controller may control the compressor, booster compressor, and second booster expansion mechanism in the gas injection mode.

According to one embodiment, compressor 10 may be a capacity variable compressor and booster compressor 90 may be a constant speed compressor. Furthermore, the booster compressor may have a smaller capacity than compressor in order to efficiently respond to various loads.

Under the partial load mode, the controller turns off compressor 10, drives booster compressor 90, and closes second booster expansion mechanism 80. The controller may fully open first booster expansion mechanism 62 and adjust expansion mechanism 16 at a predetermined degree of opening to allow the expansion mechanism to expand the coolant. In one embodiment, the controller may control the degree of opening of the expansion mechanism so that suction superheat of the booster compressor reaches a predetermined value.

Under the above-mentioned control, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, coolant in compressor suction pipe 19 may be sucked into booster compressor 90 via booster suction pipe 96 and booster compressor suction pipe 92 without being introduced into compressor 10. The coolant may then be compressed in the booster compressor and then made to flow into first heat exchanger 14 via first booster compressor discharging pipe 94 and compressor discharging pipe 13.

The coolant flowing into first heat exchanger 14 may be condensed in the first heat exchanger to heat the water passing through the first heat exchanger, expanded in expansion mechanism 16 while passing through first booster expansion mechanism 62 and gas/liquid separator 70, and then flow into second heat exchanger 18.

The coolant flowing into the second heat exchanger may evaporate by outdoor air blowing from outdoor fan 22′ and then recovered to compressor suction pipe 19. That is, coolant may be subjected to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation while circulating booster compressor 90, first heat exchanger 14, expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18. Thus, the heat pump may respond to the partial load with lower consumption power than in the case of driving compressor 10.

Under the general load mode, controller 120 drives compressor 10, stops booster compressor 90, and closes second booster expansion mechanism 80. The controller may fully open first booster expansion mechanism 62 and adjust expansion mechanism 16 at a predetermined degree of opening to allow the expansion mechanism to expand the coolant. The controller may control the degree of opening of the expansion mechanism so that suction superheat of the compressor reaches a predetermined value.

Under the above-mentioned control, coolant in compressor suction pipe 19 may be sucked and compressed in compressor 10 without being introduced into booster compressor 90 and then be made to flow to first heat exchanger 14 via compressor discharging pipe 13, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9.

The coolant flowing to first heat exchanger 14 may be condensed in the first heat exchanger to heat the water passing through the first heat exchanger, expanded in expansion mechanism 16 while passing through first booster expansion mechanism 62 and gas/liquid separator 70, and then be made to flow to second heat exchanger 18.

The coolant flowing to the second heat exchanger may evaporate by outdoor air blowing from outdoor fan 22′ and then recovered to compressor suction pipe 19. That is, coolant may be subjected to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation while circulating compressor 10, first heat exchanger 14, expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18. Thus, the heat pump may respond to the general load, which is larger than when the booster compressor 90 is driven.

Under the multi operation mode, controller 120 drives compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 and closes second booster expansion mechanism 80. The controller may fully open first booster expansion mechanism 62 and adjust expansion mechanism 16 at a predetermined degree of opening to allow the expansion mechanism 16 to expand the coolant. The controller may control the degree of opening of the expansion mechanism so that suction superheat of compressor 10 reaches a predetermined value.

Under the above-mentioned control, coolant in compressor suction pipe 19 is partially sucked and compressed in compressor 10 and then discharged through compressor discharging pipe 13. The remainder of the coolant is sucked via booster suction pipe 96 and booster compressor suction pipe 92 to booster compressor 90 for compression, and the compressed coolant is discharged through compressor discharging pipe 13 and mixed with the coolant discharged from compressor 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10.

The coolant discharged through compressor discharging pipe 13 flows in first heat exchanger 14 for compression. The coolant is condensed in the first heat exchanger to heat the water passing through the first heat exchanger, expanded in expansion mechanism 16 while passing first booster expansion mechanism 62 and gas/liquid separator 70, and then made to flow into second heat exchanger 18.

The coolant flowing into the second heat exchanger may evaporate by outdoor air blowing from outdoor fan 22′ and then recovered to compressor suction pipe 19. That is, the coolant may be subjected to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation while circulating compressor 10, booster compressor 90, first heat exchanger 14, expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18. Thus, the heat pump may respond to the larger load compared with the case of driving booster compressor 90 alone or compressor 10 alone.

Under the gas injection mode, controller 120 may drive compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 and open second booster expansion mechanism 80. The controller may open first booster expansion mechanism 62 and adjust expansion mechanism 16 at a predetermined degree of opening to allow the expansion mechanism to expand the coolant.

The controller 120 may control the degree of opening of the first booster expansion mechanism and the degree of opening of the second booster expansion mechanism so that pressure of the coolant sucked into the booster compressor is lower than the evaporation pressure of second heat exchanger 18 and higher than the compression pressure of first heat exchanger 14, and may control the degree of opening of expansion mechanism 16 so that suction superheat of compressor 10 reaches a predetermined value.

Under the above-mentioned control, coolant in compressor suction pipe 19 may be sucked and compressed in compressor 10, discharged through compressor discharging pipe 13, made to flow into first heat exchanger 14 to heat the water passing through the first heat exchanger, expanded in first booster expansion mechanism 62, and introduced into the gas/liquid separator 70, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11.

The coolant introduced in the gas/liquid separator is separated into gaseous coolant and liquid coolant. The gaseous coolant may be discharged through gaseous coolant discharging pipe 76 and the liquid coolant may be made to flow into expansion mechanism 16 through gas/liquid separator outlet pipe 72 for expansion.

The coolant expanded in expansion mechanism 16 may be made to flow and evaporated in second heat exchanger 18, recovered to compressor suction pipe 19, compressed in compressor 10, and discharged through compressor discharging pipe 13.

On the other hand, the coolant discharged through gaseous coolant discharging pipe 76 is expanded in second booster expansion mechanism 80, made to flow into booster compressor suction pipe 92, and then compressed in booster compressor 90. The coolant compressed in the booster compressor is discharged through first booster compressor discharging pipe 94, made to flow into compressor discharging pipe 13, and mixed with the coolant discharged from compressor 10.

That is, the coolant may be subjected to compression, condensation, expansion, expansion, and evaporation while circulating through compressor 10, first heat exchanger 14, first booster expansion mechanism 62, expansion mechanism 16, and second heat exchanger 18. Gaseous coolant of the coolant condensed in the first heat exchanger is then expanded and injected to booster compressor 90. Thus, the heat pump may further raise efficiency and reduce compression work than in case of driving booster compressor 90 and compressor 10 without gas injection. The heat pump may provide improved performance particularly under low outdoor temperature.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a heat pump where a booster module is mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit, FIG. 13 shows the flow of a coolant in one embodiment of a heat pump operating in general load mode, and FIG. 14 shows the flow of a coolant in one embodiment of a heat pump operating in gas injection mode. The heat pump in these figures may be identical or similar in construction to one or more of the aforementioned heat pump embodiments except that booster suction pipe 96 and check valve 96′ are absent.

The heat pump according to these embodiments may operation in a general load mode in which compressor 10 is driven, booster compressor 90 is not driven, and second booster expansion mechanism 80 stops gaseous coolant from passing therethrough as shown in FIG. 12.

When operating in gas injection mode, compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 are driven and second booster expansion mechanism 80 allows gaseous coolant to pass therethrough, as shown in FIG. 14. More specifically, if a low temperature load is sensed by load sensor 110, compressor 10 and booster compressor 90 are driven and second booster expansion mechanism 80 allows gaseous coolant to pass, so that the compressor may compress the coolant evaporated in second heat exchanger 18 and booster compressor may compress gaseous coolant separated in gas/liquid separator 70.

On the other hand, unless a low temperature load is sensed by the load sensor, compressor 10 may be driven while booster compressor 90 may not be driven and second booster expansion mechanism 80 may stop gaseous coolant from passing, so that compressor 10 may compress the coolant evaporated in the compressor.

FIG. 15 shows one embodiment of a heat pump before a booster module is mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit, and FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a heat pump after a booster module has been mounted on a refrigeration cycle unit. These embodiments may only be used for room heating and may not include room cooling/heating switching valve 12. Otherwise, the embodiments may be similar to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments.

In refrigeration cycle unit 1, compressor 10 may be connected to first heat exchanger 14 via compressor discharging pipe 11, first heat exchanger 14 to the expansion mechanism 16 via pipe 15 between the first heat exchanger and expansion mechanism 16, the expansion mechanism to second heat exchanger 18 via pipe 17 between the expansion mechanism and second heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger to compressor 10 via compressor suction pipe 20′.

Upon mounting booster module 2, compressor discharging pipe 11 and pipe 15 connected between first heat exchanger 14 and expansion mechanism 16 may be separated into pipes 11A and 11B and pipes 15A and 15B, respectively. The booster module may be connected between pipes 11A and 11B and pipes 15A and 15B.

In the booster module, booster compressor discharging pipes 94 and 95 may include a first booster compressor discharging pipe 94 connected between separated pipes 11A and 11B and a second booster compressor discharging pipe 95 that guides coolant discharged from booster compressor 90 to the first booster compressor discharging pipe.

That is, compressor 10 and first heat exchanger 14 may be connected to each other via compressor discharging pipe 11 before installation of the booster module as shown in FIG. 14, and via pipe 11A, first booster compressor discharging pipe 94, and pipe 11B after installation of the booster module as shown in FIG. 15. One end of booster suction pipe 96 may be connected to compressor suction pipe 20′ and the other end may be connected to booster compressor suction pipe 92.

One or more embodiments therefore provide a heat pump that includes a booster module to reinforce the capacity of a refrigeration cycle unit.

One or more of these embodiments also provide a heat pump that may raise heating performance under a low temperature condition by injecting a gaseous coolant into a booster compressor of the booster module.

One or more of these embodiments also provide a heat pump that may perform various operations according to loads and thus efficiently respond to the loads while minimizing consumption power.

In accordance with one embodiment, a heat pump is provided to including a refrigeration cycle unit that includes a compressor for compressing a coolant, a first heat exchanger for condensing the coolant compressed in the compressor, an expansion mechanism for expanding the coolant condensed in the first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger for evaporating the coolant expanded in the expansion mechanism; and a booster module that is connected to the refrigeration cycle unit, wherein the booster module separates a gaseous coolant from the coolant flowing from the first heat exchanger to the expansion mechanism, compresses the separated gaseous coolant, and then has the compressed gaseous coolant flow between the compressor and the first heat exchanger, or compresses the coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger and then has the compressed coolant flow between the compressor and the first heat exchanger.

The booster module includes a first booster expansion mechanism that expands the coolant flowing in the first heat exchanger, a gas/liquid separator that separates the coolant expanded in the first booster expansion mechanism into a liquid coolant and a gaseous coolant, a second booster expansion mechanism that expands the gaseous coolant separated in the gas/liquid separator, and a booster compressor that compresses the coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism.

The booster module further includes a booster suction pipe that guides the coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger to be sucked into the booster compressor.

The booster module further includes a gas/liquid separator suction pipe that connects between the first booster expansion mechanism and the gas/liquid separator, a gaseous coolant discharging pipe that guides the gaseous coolant separated in the gas/liquid separator to the second booster expansion mechanism, a booster compressor suction pipe that allows the coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism to be sucked into the booster compressor, and a booster compressor discharging pipe that guides the coolant discharged from the booster compressor to between the compressor and the first heat exchanger, wherein the booster suction pipe connects the booster compressor suction pipe to between the second heat exchanger and the compressor.

The booster module further includes a check valve that is provided over the booster suction pipe to prevent the coolant in the booster compressor suction pipe from being sucked through the booster suction pipe to the compressor.

The first boost expansion mechanism is connected to the first heat exchanger via a first booster expansion mechanism suction pipe. The gas/liquid separator is connected to the expansion mechanism via a gas/liquid separator outlet pipe. The compressor is a capacity variable compressor and the booster compressor is a constant speed compressor. The booster compressor has a smaller capacity than the compressor.

The heat pump includes a controller to control the compressor, booster compressor, and second booster expansion mechanism based on an operation mode.

The controller drives the compressor, stops the booster compressor, and closes the second booster expansion mechanism under a general load mode.

The controller turns off the compressor, drives the booster compressor, and closes the second booster expansion mechanism under a partial load mode. The controller drives the compressor and the booster compressor, and closes the second booster expansion mechanism under a multi operation mode. The controller drives the compressor and booster compressor and opens the second booster expansion mechanism under a gas injection mode.

The first heat exchanger is a water coolant heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between water and a coolant, and connects to a room heating unit for room heating and a water heating unit for supplying hot water via a water circulation path.

Since the booster module is additionally coupled with the refrigeration cycle unit, the heat pump according to the present invention, as configured above, may simply raise a heating capacity in a cold region that requires a sufficient heating capacity. Further, the heat pump may respond to various load conditions difficult to handle only with the compressor of the refrigeration cycle unit, thus capable of providing the optimum performance with lowest costs.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A heat pump comprising: a refrigeration cycle unit including a compressor to compress a coolant, a first heat exchanger to condense the coolant compressed in the compressor, an expansion mechanism to expand the coolant condensed in the first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger to evaporate the coolant expanded in the expansion mechanism; and a booster module, coupled to the refrigeration cycle unit, to: separate a gaseous coolant from the coolant flowing from the first heat exchanger to the expansion mechanism, and compress the separated gaseous coolant, the compressed gaseous coolant to flow between the compressor and first heat exchanger, or compress the coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger, the compressed coolant to flow between the compressor and the first heat exchanger.
 2. The heat pump of claim 1, wherein the booster module includes: a first booster expansion mechanism to expand the coolant flowing in the first heat exchanger; a gas/liquid separator to separate the coolant expanded in the first booster expansion mechanism into a liquid coolant and a gaseous coolant; a second booster expansion mechanism to expand the gaseous coolant separated in the gas/liquid separator; and a booster compressor to compress the coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism.
 3. The heat pump of claim 2, wherein the booster module further includes: a booster suction pipe that guides the coolant evaporated in the second heat exchanger to be sucked into the booster compressor.
 4. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the booster module further includes: a gas/liquid separator suction pipe coupled between the first booster expansion mechanism and the gas/liquid separator, a gaseous coolant discharging pipe that guides the gaseous coolant separated in the gas/liquid separator to the second booster expansion mechanism, a booster compressor suction pipe to allow the coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism to be sucked into the booster compressor, and a booster compressor discharging pipe to guide the coolant discharged from the booster compressor to flow between the compressor and first heat exchanger, the booster suction pipe to connect the booster compressor suction pipe located between the second heat exchanger and the compressor.
 5. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the booster module further includes: a check valve, provided over the booster suction pipe, to prevent the coolant in the booster compressor suction pipe from being sucked through the booster suction pipe to the compressor.
 6. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the first boost expansion mechanism is coupled to the first heat exchanger via a first booster expansion mechanism suction pipe.
 7. The heat pump of claim 4, wherein the gas/liquid separator is coupled to the expansion mechanism via a gas/liquid separator outlet pipe.
 8. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the compressor is a capacity variable compressor and the booster compressor is a constant speed compressor.
 9. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the booster compressor has a smaller capacity than the compressor.
 10. The heat pump of claim 3, wherein the heat pump includes a controller to control the compressor, the booster compressor, and the second booster expansion mechanism based on an operation mode.
 11. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the controller drives the compressor, stops the booster compressor, and closes the second booster expansion mechanism under a general load mode.
 12. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the controller turns off the compressor, drives the booster compressor, and closes the second booster expansion mechanism under a partial load mode.
 13. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the controller drives the compressor and the booster compressor, and closes the second booster expansion mechanism under a multi operation mode.
 14. The heat pump of claim 10, wherein the controller drives the compressor and booster compressor and opens the second booster expansion mechanism under a gas injection mode.
 15. The heat pump of claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger is a water coolant heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between water and a coolant, and is coupled to a room heating unit for room heating and a water heating unit for supplying hot water via a water circulation path.
 16. A heat pump comprising: a refrigeration cycle unit that includes a compressor to compress a coolant, a first heat exchanger to condense the coolant compressed in the compressor, an expansion mechanism to expand the coolant condensed in the first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger to evaporate the coolant expanded in the expansion mechanism; and a booster module selectively mounted on the refrigeration cycle unit, the booster module including: a first booster expansion mechanism to expand the coolant flowing in the first heat exchanger, a gas/liquid separator to separate the coolant expanded in the first booster expansion mechanism into a liquid coolant and a gaseous coolant, a second booster expansion mechanism to expand the gaseous coolant separated in the gas/liquid separator, and a booster compressor to compress the coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism, wherein the heat pump is selectively operated in response to an indoor load.
 17. The heat pump of claim 16, wherein the booster module further includes: a gas/liquid separator suction pipe coupled between the first booster expansion mechanism and the gas/liquid separator, a gaseous coolant discharging pipe to guide the gaseous coolant separated in the gas/liquid separator to the second booster expansion mechanism, a booster compressor suction pipe to allow the coolant expanded in the second booster expansion mechanism to be sucked into the booster compressor, and a booster compressor discharging pipe to guide the coolant discharged from the booster compressor to flow between the compressor and first heat exchanger.
 18. The heat pump of claim 17, wherein the first boost expansion mechanism is coupled to the first heat exchanger via a first booster expansion mechanism suction pipe.
 19. The heat pump of claim 18, wherein the gas/liquid separator is coupled to the expansion mechanism via a gas/liquid separator outlet pipe.
 20. The heat pump of claim 17, wherein the compressor is a capacity variable compressor and the booster compressor is a substantially constant speed compressor. 